Karate classes can positively affect the health of children and develop body and soul harmoniously.
The purpose of the work is to examine the influence of physical education classes with a priority in
application of oriental martial arts on the physical and psychophysical preparedness of preschool boys
(n=71). Assessment of physical and psycho-physical preparedness for children was performed with
the set of tests (standing long jump, throws of the ball against the wall and catching it, flexion and
extension of arms lying on the floor, jumping with a rope to fatigue, raising of the body from the initial
supine position, squats, writing the letter “O”, claps, pronouncing of digits, keeping the “Flamingo”
pose). The children from the experimental group (n=33) were trained by the program with the
priority in application of karate. Children from control group had Physical Education classes according
Ukrainian State program for preschooler children “Sure Start”. The physical state and the level of
psycho-physical fitness were rated as average. The implementation of the physical education program
with the priority in application of karate has proven its higher efficacy compared to the traditional one.
The program contributed significantly to raising the level of physical and mental fitness, overall
assessment increased from 3.0 to 4.8 points in the experimental group. Better discipline, greater
attention, higher mental capacity and less fatigue of children who attended the author’s program
confirm that the classes with the priority of karate application can promote the full readiness of
children for school.